Non-Runner Betting – Guide

How many times have you seen ‘no runner equals no bet’ on a bookmaker’s site and wondered what it meant? In this article, we will discuss what non-runner betting is, as well as why it is so popular with punters. Read on below to discover how this will benefit your betting experience, as well as how to place a non-runner bet.

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What Does Non-Runner Betting Mean?

More often than not, non-runner betting is a type of wager associated predominantly with horse racing tournaments. This is when you place a bet, and for some reason, the horse ends up being a non-runner, even though it was initially scheduled to run. This term is given to the horses which will not take part in the competition; therefore, your wager is futile. Instead of losing your stake, you will be refunded, which gives punters a bigger sense of control and safety.

There are several reasons why a horse could be deemed a non-runner. You will know if your horse is declared a non-runner as this will be announced at the Final Declarations. Afterward, they will be withdrawn from the race.

Below are the most common and widely accepted by betting sites in Ireland:

  • Weather And Ground Conditions: the ground conditions of a horse racing tournament are extremely important to both the animal and jockey. In events where there is heavy rainfall this can frighten the horse or affect its performing ability. Subsequently this will also affect the ground and soil, making it either too firm or too soft. All of these conditions together will result in the horse being declared a non-runner.
  • Injury Or Sickness: It goes without saying that if a horse is injured, they cannot take part in the competition. The health and safety of the animal is of utmost importance, and it will not be able to perform to a high standard when it is hurt. In addition, sickness can affect horses just as much as humans, therefore if they are diagnosed with a disease that impacts their health, unnecessary training and competition will be detrimental to them.
  • Prior Competition Wins: Especially for horses that race frequently, they may be deemed a non-runner after winning a previous race. There are strict rules and regulations about this. Additionally, a horse may be scheduled to run in two races at the same time, which in this case is an admin issue.
  • Vet Health Check: Before a horse runs, they will have thorough exams conducted by a veterinary professional, in order to safeguard them from physical harm. This includes taking data like weight and measurements, as well as performing cardiovascular and respiratory checks. If a horse fails these mandatory practises, they will not be able to run in the race.
  • Jockey Problems: When it comes to horse betting, it is crucial to remember that there are more factors involved than solely the animals. The jockey plays a significant role in the performance of the horse, hence why they also have to maintain good shape. If the jockey backs out of the race for any reason, the horse will also not run in the competition.
  • Transit/Stall Problems: Manoeuvring horses is much trickier than humans. If a horse is feeling hostile and won’t get into their designated stall, there is no way to make them race. Furthermore, there may be transit issues which mean that the horse cannot be transported from their home to the races.
  • General Accidents: sometimes a horse or jockey can’t get to the destination, there are issues with administration, or they are withdrawn for undisclosed reasons.

Why Is Non-Runner Betting Popular?

Non-runner betting is really popular with betting sites, because they recognise how important it is to the punter. Horse race betting is an exhilarating experience, but at times can feel overwhelming. By ensuring that your stake is refunded when a horse is declared a non-runner, you take away the anxiety associated with losing a bet through extraordinary circumstances. This way, you can focus on the competition.

Below we have listed a few of the main advantages that make non-runner betting as popular as it is:

Added Protection

The main advantage of non-runner betting is that punters are given extra protection for their wager. You can think of it as insurance for your bet, so that if your horse fails due to circumstances beyond the scope of performance, you will not be penalised for it.

Especially when betting on sports, the industry can be wildly unpredictable. There is an array of markets to choose from, and so many different competitors to keep track of. Having a safety net is always helpful for the punter, making the experience more enjoyable.

Ante-Post Betting

Ante-post betting is mostly associated with horse racing, and hence you will see betting sites advertise it coupled up with non-runner betting.

When ante-post betting, you are predicting which horses will win or place in a competition, before it’s even decided that they will take part in the tournament. Although there are many benefits of this, because the odds are greater and therefore you stand to gain a bigger profit, it is also considerably riskier than regular betting. This is because making a bet so far in advance leaves room for several changes to be made. There could be injuries, other commitments, and so on.

By having a non-runner policy, you will be refunded your stake, even if your chosen horse doesn’t partake.

Rule 4 Deduction

A Rule 4 Deduction is used in horse race betting. It ensures that you are paid fairly when there is a non-runner in the race.

Essentially, this means that a portion is deducted from your winnings when a horse withdraws for any number of the reasons above. This value is a maximum of 90% of your earnings, and depends on the odds of the horses at the time.

Rule 4 deductions also apply to your stake.

Accumulator Betting

Non-runner betting is also really beneficial in accumulator betting. This is where you create one big wager with several individual bets, and all of your legs must win for your wager to be successful.

Say you did not have a non-runner policy and a horse that you selected withdrew. This would mean your entire wager becomes unsuccessful and you lose your stake, because of an extraordinary circumstance.

On the other hand, a non-runner bet would mean your profits would simply be re-evaluated. Note than your return would be less, however, you wouldn’t lose the entire wager because of one leg that failed due to withdrawal.

Each-Way Betting

Similar to accumulator betting, an each-way bet works so much better when used in combination with non-runner betting. An each-way bet is made up of two elements: a win bet and a place bet. This means that your initial stake is doubled as you are technically placing two bets.

If for any reason the horse you chose for the each-way bet is declared a non-runner, the each-way bet will automatically fail. As a result, you will lose both and your stake, and be denied of your potential earnings. On the other hand, with a non-runner bet, you will be refunded your stake.

Conclusion

In closing, non-runner betting is worth considering when you are wagering on horse racing. It is very simple to do:

  • Choose a betting site that offers the non-runner policy
  • Register to this bookmaker (if you want to place an ante-post bet, do this a few weeks in advance of the competition)
  • Browse through the different tournaments such as the Epsom Derby, Grand National, and Royal Ascot
  • Pick a market such as win-only, each-way, length betting, and more
  • Choose the odds most suited to you and place your bet
  • Wait for the results!

If your horse is declared a non-runner, which is more often that most people think, you will be refunded your stake, or your earnings may be adjusted.